Rectifying system



H WINOGRAD Dec. 7, 1937.

RECTIFYING SYSTEM Filed June 18, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 @WX aux c 3 Dec. 7, 193 7.

H. WINOGRAD 2,101,802

RECTIFYING SYSTEM Filed June 18, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 A k I I Patented Dec. 7, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RECTIFYING SYSTEM Application June 18, 1934, Serial No. 731,105

15 Claims.

This invention relates in general toimprovements in electric valve control systems and more particularly to means for impressing variable alternating and direct voltage components on the control electrode of an electric valve to control the operation thereof.

It is frequently desired to control the flow of current through an electric valve connected with an alternating current circuit by impressing sulO' perimposed alternating and direct voltage components on the control electrodes of the valve. Each control electrode is then alternately made negative and positive with respect to the cathode potential and the moment of positive energization 5 of each control electrode may be varied by varying either the alternating or the direct voltage component to thereby regulate the output of the valve. To obtain a large range of regulation it is then necessary to vary the magnitude of the di- 20 rect component or to vary the magnitude or the phase of the alternating component of the control electrode voltage to a large extent with the result that the system lacks sensitiveness and the degree of regulation obtainable is limited. By

25 simultaneously varying the direct and alternating components of the control electrode voltage the sensitiveness of the system may be greatly increased and the range of regulation obtainable with a given system is also enlarged.

30 It is therefore one of the objects of the present invention to provide a control system for an electric valve in which the control electrode of the valve receives superimposed variable alternating and direct voltage components.

35 Another object of the present invention is to provide a control system for an electric valve in which the components of the control electrode voltage of the valve are automatically varied in response to an operating condition of the valve.

40 Another object of the present invention is to provide a control system for an electric valve in which the alternating and direct voltage components of the control electrode are conversely varied in magnitude.

45 Another object of the present invention is to provide a control system for an electric valve in which the alternating component of the control electrode voltage is varied in phase and the direct component of such voltage is simultaneous- 50 1y varied in magnitude.

Objects and advantages other than those above described will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of the following description when read in connection with the accom- 55 panying drawings, in which:

Fig. l diagrammatically illustrates one embodiment of the present invention applied to the regulation of an electric valve controlling the flow of energy between alternating current and direct current lines and operating in response to the 5 magnitude of the flow of current through the valve;

Fig. 2 diagrammatically illustrates a modified embodiment of the present invention differing from the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1 in the arrangement of the control electrode circuit and operating in response to the magnitude of the output voltage of the valve;

Figs. 3 and 4 are diagrams of the control electrode voltage component utilized in the systems illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 respectively; and

Fig. 5 diagrammatically illustrates another modified embodiment of the present invention differing from the embodiment illustrated in Fig.

2 in the choice of the circuit elements varied by the action of the regulator.

Referring more particularly to the drawings by characters of reference, Fig. 1 illustrates a system for transmitting electrical energy between an alternating current line 6 and the direct current line i through an electric valve 8. In the present embodiment it will be assumed that current supplied from line 6 is to be rectified and supplied to line 1 and the system will be described accordingly, although it will be understood that the converse operation may be obtained by means of the system shown by suitably adjusting the circuit of the control electrodes of the valve 8. The system includes a supply transformer 9 having a primary winding H connected with line 6 and a secondary winding [2 having a midtap connected with one of the conductors of line I. The terminals of winding l2 are severally connected with the anodes [3 of valve 8 and the cathode. M of the valve is connected with the second conductor of line 1. If cathode I4 is of the reconstructing fluid type diagrammatically illustrated in the drawings, valve 8 is provided with the usual discharge igniting and maintaining means which are well known and therefore not shown. The connection between cathode I 4 and line I may be direct or through a reactor I 6. The action of such reactor is to cause the current to flow through each anode not only during the positive period of the anode voltage but also to flow during any subsequent negative portion of the anode voltage previous to the release of the flow of current through another anode. The average output voltage of the valve is then decreased by an amount depending on parallel with reactor 23.

the length of the period of negative voltage uti- 'lized and the range of regulation obtainable by a an auxiliary transformer l9 having the primary- 7 windings 23 thereof connected with line 6. addition to winding 2! circuit l8 contains a' pluralityof impedance elements including'a fixed reactor 22 and a variable reactor 23'. The induct ance of reactor 23 may be adjusted by movement of core 2% thereof. The relations of phase and of magnitude between the voltage of winding 2i 7 and the voltages of reactors 22 and 23' may be varied by means of a rheostat 26 connected'in Control electrodes ii are 'connected'with circuit l8 through current limiting resistors 2? which are connected with the secondary winding 28 of a transformer 29 having a primary winding 3| thereof connected parallel with reactor 23. Winding 28 is provided with a midtap connected with cathode it through a voltage divider 32; the latter is energized at a direct Voltage component from a transformer 33 connected across reactor 22 and a pair of rectifying devices 36 converting the alternating secondary voltage of transformer 33 into a substantially uniform direct current voltage. Such voltage may be given any desired degree of uniformity by. suitable filtering means which may consist simply of a capacitor 36 connected across voltage divider 32. The magnitude of the alternating voltage components received by control electrodes ii may be adjusted in any suitable manner such as for instance by means of taps provided in winding 3!. cult it may be effected by movement of core '24 of reactor 23' as a result of the connection of such core with the lever of a regulator 37 pro- 3 vided with a second core 38 movable in a solenoid energized from line I through a shunt 4! h and a rheostat B2.

In operation; the system being connected as shown and line it being energized, circuit I8 is energized from winding 2! at an alternating .voltage similar to the voltage of winding iii. The voltages appearing across the terminals of reactor 22 and'of reactor 23 are then geometrical. components of the voltage of winding 2|, of magnitudes and phases depending on the magnitudes or" the inductances of reactors 22 and 23 and on the resistances of rheostat 2t and of voltage divider Transformer 29 having winding 7 thereof connected across reactor 23 cooperates reactor 22;

. with voltage divider 32 to impress an alternating voltage component between each control electrode l? and cathode l4 similar to the voltage across reactor 23. The rectifying system comof magnitude in relation of substantial proportionality with the magnitude of the voltage of magnitude of such components are effective to cause control electrode i'l' to control the opera-' tion of anode is associated therewith. During the operation of valve 8=each anode l3 thereof,

5 alternately receives positive and negative voltage The adjustment of cir-- Circuit 93 is so adjusted that thewaves from winding l2, and the voltage compo 'nents impressed on the associated control electrode are such that such electrode passes from a negative voltage to apositive voltage when the anode is positive with respect to the cathode to release the flow of current therethrough. The

current impulses sequentially released through the anodes of the valve 8 combine at the cathode M to form a. substantially uniform direct current of magnitude depending on the voltage of winding IE, on the time of the voltage cycle at which the flow of current is released through each anode and on the impedance of the load.

The value of the impedance of the load is to be' considered. instead of only the resistance thereof because, as pointed out above, the extent of the flow of current through valve 8 and the average output voltage of the valve are dependent upon the inductance of the load circuit as well as upon its resistance. If the load impedance is high the current through line a and through solenoid 39 is small and the attraction of solenoid 39 on core 38 is overcome bythe tension of spring 29 and the attraction of re actor 23.0n core 24 thereof. Core 26 accordingly moves inward, thereby causing the inductance of reactor 23 reach a high value. The component of the voltage of winding 2! appearing across reactor 23 is therefore large wrnle the component appearing across reactor 22 is small. The alternating component of the voltage of one of control electrodes ll which is proportional to the voltage of reactor 23 may then be represented by curve is in Fig. 3. This curve is to be read with respect to a line at of which the positive ordinate is of a value representing the negative direct component of the control electrode voltage of value substane tially proportional to the magnitude of the voltage of reactor 22 and superposed on the alternating component by means of voltage divider 32. Curve 43 and line 44, intersect at a point A indicating the passage of the control electrode. from negative values to positive values of volt-. age with respect to cathode id, to thereby release the flow of current through the associated anode at substantially the instant represented by point A.

If on the contrary the load impedance is low; in value, th current through line 1 and throughv coil 39 is at a high value and the attraction of coil 39 on core 38 overcomes the attraction of spring 59 and reactor 23 on core 24. Core 24 ac. cordingly moves upward thereby causing the inductance of reactor 23 to be reduced in value. The voltage across reactor 23 accordingly de-' creases in magnitude and varies in phase in a manner depending upon the adjustment of thei several elements of circuit l8. In general it will be preferred to adjust resistor 26 to a comparatively low value so that when the voltage of reactor 23 decreases in magnitude, such voltage also lags in phase to cause the control electrode I! under consideration to receive an alternatin voltage component represented by curve 46 in.

Fig. 3. While the voltage of reactor 23 decreases the voltage of resistor 32 increases, thereby causing the direct voltage component of the control electrode to increase'so that curve 46 is to be. read with respect to a line l! having a positive ordinate representing the increased negative voltage impressed on control electrode I? through voltage divider 32. Curve 46 intersects line 4'! at .point B at a moment in the voltage cycle later.

than the moment represented by the point A. I The flow of current through each anode is thus-released at a later part of the voltage cycle and such action tends to decrease the flow of current through valve 8 and thus opposes the increase of such flow of current resulting from the change of the load impedance. It will be apparent that regulator 31 may be so adjusted that such action causes the flow of current through valve 8 to be maintained at a substantially uniform value regardless or" the value of the load impedance, or causes the magnitude of such flow of current to be in any desired relation with the magnitude of the load current.

Regulator 3'! thus acts in response to an operating condition of valve 8, which is the magnitude of the flow of current therethrough, to vary the adjustment of circuit I8 by controlling the inductance of reactor 23 included therein. The result of such action is to conversely vary the magnitude of the control electrode voltage components to reguiate the flow of current through valve 8, the phase of the alternating component being also retarded or advanced when the magnitude of the direct component is increased or decreased.

In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 2, circuit 58 includes a rheostat 48 in addition to reactors 22 and 23. Winding 2! is provided with a midtap and winding 3| is connected between such midtap and the junction point of reactor 23 with rheostat 48. Transformer 29 therefore impresses, between each control electrode l1 and cathode 14, an alternating voltage component proportional to the aggregate voltage of one half of winding 2i and of rheostat 48. Rectifying devices 34 are shown as being four in number and as being connected across reactor 23 without interposition of a transformer, such connection being equivalent to the connection illustrated in Fig. 1 as is well known in the art. In the present embodiment the connections are such that the rectifying system superposes on the alternating voltage component of the control electrode, a substantially uniform direct voltage component substantially proportional to the magnitude of the voltage across reactor 23. Coil 39 and rheostat 42 are connected across line 1 whereby regulator 37 is made responsive to the magnitude of the output voltage of valve 8. Regulator 3! is so arranged that cores 24 and 38 simultaneously move in or out of the associated coils, the attraction of the coils on the associated cores then being additive and being opposed by suitable restraining means such as a spring 49.

In operation, the system functions generally in the same manner as the system illustrated in 1. The voltage of winding 2| is divided into components appearing across reactors 22 and 23 and across rheostat 48, such components being of magnitudes and phases depending upon the induotances of reactors 22 and 23 and upon the resistances of rheostat 48 and of voltage divider 32. If the load impedance is of high value, the flow of current through line I is at a low value and the voltage drop occurring in transformer 9 and valve 8 is likewise of a low value. The output voltage of valve 3 impressed on coil 39 and rheostat 42 is then high so that the attraction of coil 39 on core 38 overcomes the action of spring 49 to move core 2- 5 in coil 23. The inductance of reactor 23 is then high and reactor 23 will receive a large voltage component while rheostat 48 will receive a comparatively small component. The alternating voltage component received by a control electrode l? is then substantially proportional to the voltage of one-half of winding 2|, such component being represented by curve 5| in Fig.

4. Such curve is to be read with respect toline 52 representing the large direct current voltage component obtained by rectification of the voltage of reactor 23. Curve 5! and line 52 intersect at point 0 representing the instant at which the flow of current is released through the anode associated with the control electrode. If the load impedance becomes low, the flow of current through line I reaches a higher value and the voltage drop in transformer 9 and valve 8 increases. The output voltage of valve 8 decreases to a corresponding extent and the attraction of coil 39 on core 38 is overcome by the action of spring 49 which causes core 24 to be moved out of coil 23. The inductance of reactor 23 is thereby decreased and the voltage across the reactor decreases while the voltage of rheostat 48 increases. The alternating component of the control electrode voltage accordingly increases slightly in magnitude and is caused to advance considerably with respect to the voltage of winding 2!, the resulting voltage being represented by curve 53 in Fig. 4. Such curve is to be read with respect to line 54 having the ordinate thereof lcwer than the ordinate of line 52 to an extent corresponding to the decrease in the voltage of reactor 23. Curve 53 and line 54 intersect at point D corresponding to the instant of the voltage cycle at which. the flow of current is released through each anode. Point D being earlier than point C the release of the flow of current through each anode is advanced with respect to the voltage cycle and the output voltage of valve 8 is increased thus tending to oifset the decrease thereof resulting from the greater value of the flow of current. Depending upon the adjustment of regulator 2? the flow of current through valve 8 may be regulated in such a manner that the output voltage of the valve is maintained at a substantially constant value or may be made to take values in any desired relation with the magnitude of the load current.

It somet mes be desired to vary the point of release the flow of current through each anode 53 during the voltage cycle to an extent greater than is possible in the above described embodiments. For example, it may be desired to automatically obtain alternate rectifying and inverting operation of valve 3 in response to an operating condition of the system, as when the valve supplies cu ":t to direct current motors which are so operated as to reverse their counterelec emotive forces to transmit to the supply line en suppi thereto in mechanical form. 1 the syst a. comprises two or more serially connectc valves similar to valve 8, one of the valves n y also operate alternately as a rectifier and as n ert to the; by obtain a large regu- ...olling the output voltvalvee. The system may then be acted shown in Fig. 5. in which trans- 1 er is connected as in In the present e. hodiinent. resistor 48 comprises two portions and 38b of w portion 48b constitutes a portion of a regulator be also comprising solenoid core spr ig' lfi. Core 38 acts on a 5'5 operable to short circuit a variable esist-or Q81 in response to the magnie fiow cur line i. Rectifying ed with winding 2! on voltage divider 32 orm constant direct current volt The voltage divider comprises portions 32b and 32c of which portion 32b is included in regulator 8 and is variably connected of a suhstancnlly 1:

7 cathode M bymeans' of a movable tap 58 actuated by core 38. An adjustable tap on resistor 32bls connected-with the midtaps of Windings 2i and 28, whereby control electrodes I! receive unidirectional voltage component equal to the voltage drop in the portion of resistor 32b comprised between the movable tap and the adjustable tap.

In operation, if the load impedance is of high value, the flow of current through line 1 will tend electrodes from transformer 29 to advance with respect to the voltage of winding 2 I. At the same time, cathode i4 is connected by tap 58 with the negative portion of resistor 321), so that the control electrodes receive a large positive unidirectional voltage component of a magnitude depending on the position of the adjustable tap of resistor 32b. Each control electrode therefore becomes positive at an early part of the positive half-cycle of the associated anode, and the flow of current is thereby caused to occur at the value for which the regulator is adjusted. If the load impedance decreases, the How of current through line '5 tends to increase and causes regulator 56 to move towards the limit position thereof opposite to the position shown. Such movement causes an increased portiono-f resistor 48b to be short circuited, whereby the voltage of transformer 29 is caused to lag while remaining constant in magnitude, and also results in movement of tap 58 to decrease or even reverse the positive unidirectional voltage component of the control electrodes. The flow of current is then released through each anode at a later point of the positive half-cycle thereof, and the flow of current is returned to the value for which the regulator is adjusted.

The regulator may be so adjusted as not to reach the limit position thereof opposite to the position shown even if the load impedance becomes nil. The current consuming devices, such as direct current motors connected with line I, or

any suitable direct current generators, may then the flow of current therethrough tends to increase as the output voltage of valve 8 and the motor or generator voltage are then additive. The regulator then moves in the same Way as outlined above to further retard the times of release of the anode currents which then flow during the negative half-cycles of the anode voltages to return energy from line I to line 6, as is well known in the art. Under such operating conditions the regulator still operates correctly to retard the anode currents when the current through line I is too high and to advance the anode currents when the current through line 1 is too low.

' Although but a few embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims.

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In an electric translating system, the combination with an electric valve comprising a cathode, an anode and a control electrode, and 'a circuit for said control electrode comprising a source of alternating current for impressing therefrom superimposed alternating and direct voltage components between said control electrode and cathode to control 'the operation of said valve, of

'means for simultaneously varying the phase and magnitude of said alternating voltage component and the magnitude of the said direct voltage component independently of the magnitude of the voltage of said source to thereby regulate the flow of current through said valve.

2. In an electric translating system, an electric valve having an anode with an associated control electrode and a cathode, and a control electrode circuit for said valve comprising a source of alternating current for impressing therefrom superimposed alternating and direct voltage come ponents between said control'electrode and said cathode to control the operation of said valve, and means responsive to an operating condition of said valve for simultaneously varying said voltage components independently of the magnitude of the voltage of said source to regulate the flow of current through said valve.

3. In an electric translating system, an electric valve having an anode with an associated control electrode and a cathode, and a control electrode circuit for said valvecomprising a source of alternating current for impressing therefrom superimposed alternating and direct voltage components between said control electrode and said cathode to control the operation of said valve,

and means responsive to the magnitude of the 7 source to regulate the flow of current through said valve.

4. In an electric translating system; an electric valve having an anode with an associated control electrode and a cathode, and a control electrode circuit for said valve comprising a source of alternating current for impressing therefrom superimposed alternating and direct voltage com' ponents between said control electrode and said cathode to control the operation of said valve, and means responsive to the magnitude of the output voltage of said system for simultaneously varying said voltage components independently of the magnitude of the voltage of said source to regulate the flow of current through said valve.

5. In an electric translating system, an elecvalve having an anode with an associated control electrode anda cathode, and a control electrode circuit for said valve including means for impressing superimposed alternating and direct voltage components between said control electrode and said cathode to control the operation of said valve, and means operable for simultaneously increasing the magnitude of said direct voltage omponent and retarding the phase of said alternating voltage component and for simultaneously decreasing the magnitude of said direct voltage component and advancing the phase of said alternating voltage component to control the flow of current through said valve.

'7. In an electric translating system, an alternating current winding, an electric valve connected with said Winding and having an anode with an associated control electrode and a cathode, and a circuit connected for receiving a periodic voltage similar to a voltage of said winding and including a plurality of impedance elements, means connected with one of said impedance elements for impressing an alternating voltage component from said circuit between control electrode and said cathode, rectifying means connected across another of said impedance elements for superposing on the alternating voltage component a substantially uniform direct voltage component, and means for varying the adjustment of said circuit.

8. In an electric translating system, an alternating current winding, an electric valve connected with said winding and having an anode with an associated control electrode a cathode, and a circuit connected for receiving a periodic voltage similar to a voltage or" said winding and including a plurality of impedance element-e, means connected with one of said impedance elements for impressing an alternating voltage component from said circuit between said control electrode and said cathode, rectifying means connected across another of said impedance elements for superposing on the alternating voltage component substantially uniform voltage component, and means for varying one of said impedance elements whereby the voltage components are simultaneously varied to regulate the ilow of current through said valve.

9. In an electric translating system, an alternating current winding, an electric valve connected with said winding and having an anode with an associated control electrode and a cathode, and a circuit connected for receiving a periodic voltage similar to a voltage of said winding and including a plurality of impedance elements, means connected with one of said impedance elements for impressing an alternating voltage component from said circuit between said control electrode and said cathode, rectifying means connected across another of said impedance elements for superposing on the alternating voltage component a substantially uniform direct voltage component, and means responsive to an operating condition of said valve for varying one of said impedance elements whereby the voltage components are simultaneously varied to regulate the flow of current through said valve.

10. In an electric translating system, an alternating current winding, an electric valve connected with said winding and having an anode with an associated control electrode and a cathode, and a circuit connected for receiving a periodic voltage similar to a voltage of said winding and including a plurality of impedance elements, means connected with one of said impedance elements for impressing an alternating voltage component from said circuit between said control electrode and said cathode, rectifying means connected across another of said impedance elements for superposing on the alternating voltage component a substantially uniform direct voltage component, and means responsive to the magnitude of the flow of current through said valve for varying one of said impedance elements whereby the voltage components are simultaneously varied to regulate the flow of current through said valve.

11. In an electric translating system, an alternating current winding, an electric valve connected with said winding and having an anode with an associated control electrode and a cathode, and a circuit connected for receiving a periodic voltage similar to a voltage of said winding and including a plurality of impedance elements, means connected, with one of said impedance elements for impressing an alternating voltage component from said circuit between said control electrode and said cathode, rectlfying means connected across another of said impedance elements for superposing on the alternating voltage component a substantially uniform direct voltage component, and means responsive to the magnitude of the output voltage of said system for varying one of said impedance elements whereby the voltage components are simultaneously varied to regulate the flow of current through said valve.

12. In an electric translating system, an alternating current winding, an electric Valve connected with said winding and having an anode with an associated control electrode and a cathode, and a circuit connected for receiving an alternating voltage similar to a voltage of said winding and including a plurality of serially connected reactors, means for impressing an alternating voltage component between said control electrode and said cathode similar to the voltage across one of said reactors, rectifying means connected for superposing on the alternating voltage component a substantially uniform direct voltage component of magnitude in relation with the magnitude of the voltage of another of said reactors, and means responsive to the magnitude of the flow of current through said valve for controlling the inductance of the first said reactor.

13. In an electric translating system, an alternating current winding, an electric valve connected with said winding and having an anode with an associated control electrode and a cathode, and a circuit connected for receiving an alternating voltage porportional to a voltage of said Winding and including a second alternating current winding, a rheostat and a plurality of reactors, means for impressing. an alternating voltage component between said control electrode and said cathode proportional to the voltage across the second said winding and said rheostat, rectifying means connected for superposing on the alternating voltage component a substantial- 1y uniform direct voltage component substantially proportional to the voltage across one of said reactors, and means responsive to the magnitude of the output voltage of said system for controlling the inductance of said one of said reactors.

14. In an electric translating system, an alternating current winding, an electric valve connected with said winding and having an anode with an associated control electrode and a cathode, and a circuit connected for receiving an alternating voltage similar to a voltage of said winding and including a second alternating current winding serially connected with a rheostat and a plurality of reactors and having a midtap, means connected between the midtap of the second said winding and the point of junction between said rheostat and one of said reactors for impressing an alternating voltage component from said circuit between said control electrode and said cathode, rectifying means connected across said one of said'reactors for superposing a substantially uniform direct voltage component therefrom on the alternating component,

and means responsive to an operating condition of said system for varying the inductance of the said one of said reactors.

15. In an electric translating system, an alternating current winding, an electric Valve connected with said winding and having an anode with an associated control electrode and a cathode, a circuit connected for receiving a periodic voltage similar to a voltage of said winding and including a plurality of impedance elements, means connected with said circuit for impressing an alternating voltage component therefrom between said control electrode and said cathode, rectifying means connected with said circuit, a

resistor connected with said rectifying means and with said control electrode for receiving a substantially uniform and constant direct current voltage, means for connecting said resistor with said cathode to cause impression of a unidirectional voltage component between said control electrode and said cathode, and means responsive to an operating condition of said valve for simultaneously varying one of said impedance elements and varying the connection of said resistor with said cathode to regulate the flow of current through said valve.

HAROLD WINOGRAD. 

